AG work in Australia

[bchesworth]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody could tell me how to go about getting a toe throught the door in the AG industry in Austraila. I have my IR test next week in England, but rather than go to the airlines I want to do some 'real' flying. Would like to know of any hours requirements, extra qualifications needed, and job availability etc...

Many thanks,

Ben

[Keep it straight]

i am not sure what others think, but i came here from nz. with a cpl over a year ago and worked for a few operators on the ground loading super and mixing chemicals. did in the meantime my ag rating and now just have a seat. i enjoy the ground work. and it will tell you wether this is for you. working in the heat the dust. and some flies and when you come home at night fixing gear that brakes during the day. rather than sitting at 30.000 in a suit with a coffee. and fill in a bit off paper when something brakes. i love the atmosphere. i think it helps iff you come from a rural background.
i got over here got on the phone and ring around with numbers out off the yellow book from the aaaa. but thanit is a bit easier for me to hop across than it is for you to come from the uk. i am sure the experienced blokes will give you a few better guide lines. good luck

[bchesworth]

Thanks for the info,

Is it the kind of industry where you won't get a job unless you spend time working on the ground first?

I love being out in the open and working outside and fixing stuff (currently building aeroplane from plans on PFA permit), so it sounds great. Any more info on the AG flying course and operators would be much appreciated.

Ben

[solowflyer]

Gidday Ben
Just going through the ropes myself and starting my supervision this season. When are you looking at coming over are you able to stay in ozy? Put an add in fieldair.com.au thats how I got my foot in the door.
You will need to do at least 1 year on the ground and most probably 2 or 3 befor getting a seat but don't let that put you off as it is the only way to learn the ag flying craft, think of your self as an apprentice pilot not as a loader driver you will be surprised how much there is to learn in this industry.
If you love the out doors and fixing stuff then this is the job for you as you will get plenty of both. Not to mention keeping grumpy pilots happy :).
Feel free to PM myself if you like. Good luck
PS Carrawong helped point myself in the right direction and I had a job within 24hr of his advice:ok:

[jon s gull]

Its a dirty job mate, long odd hours,often hot , you'll spend days sitting under a truck on a dirt strip in the bush but if you want a life working in and around aeroplanes this is it and the flying, it will be taken for granted that your flying skills are second to none in a highly specialised niche industry.

we wouldnt have it any other way.

[Keep it straight]

you may also want to chek out what kinda work permit you do or dont need from your part off the world to work over here. a working holiday permit is easy to get but you are not officialy to work longer for someone than 3 months. iff you cheat on that it may bite you in the bum later if you want to stay:{ ! if you like or need more adresses with people in the industrie other than the ones you may have gotten from solowflyer, pm me. there are operators out there who promise you a seat before you mix your first load, just be aware off that, and ask about. i don't feel i have been mistreated but there are other stories around. the reason it is a bit quiet on here is most likely because a lot off guys are still bussy on the cotton. gud luck

[currawong]

soloflyer,
Good to hear things are going your way. You made the commitment, did the hard yards, be justifiably proud.

bchesworth,
The replies you have got so far are all good - pretty current too by the sound of it.
Admin. - you will need to obtain an Oz CPL. You can then obtain an Oz Ag rating. From there, somehow impress the hell out of some operator, enough to get you onto the flying roster. This could take anything from 10 days to 10 years.:ugh: Usually in a ground role, such as loading. Some do it with engineering or operating ground rigs, depending on the employer.

I'm curious, why Oz? This kind of work still exists in Europe. Canada and the US are pretty big too.

Good luck.

PS - www.fieldair.com.au and www.casa.gov.au may be worth a look

[jon s gull]

check out www.aerialag.com.au also

[bchesworth]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Asked about Australia purely because I don't think there is much call for it in Europe. I know it goes on in USA however my girlfriend refuses to move to America!!!

Ben

[jon s gull]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Asked about Australia purely because I don't think there is much call for it in Europe. I know it goes on in USA however my girlfriend refuses to move to America!!!

Ben

cant blame her for that when oz is waiting.